News

With the nation mired in the Great Recession, the Federal Reserve slashed interest rates to virtually zero in hopes of spurring economic growth. While generally regarded as a sensible and effective strategy, the tactic has had the unintended consequence of crippling hundreds of non-profit organizations that offer legal services for the needy.

Justice Steven C. Gonzalez was sworn in as the newest state Supreme Court justice Monday, a historic move that diversifies the court’s makeup. Gonzalez also adds a strong voice for improving the public’s access to the costly justice system.

Steven Gonzalez was sworn in Monday as the newest member of the Washington state Supreme Court.

Read the latest newsletter from the EJC featuring an interview with NJP attorney Lili Sotelo of the Foreclosure Prevention Unit.

The Foreclosure Fairness Act is supposed to help financially troubled homeowners. But new statistics from the state show that the program is only helping a small number of people keep their homes.

A Wenatchee veteran and longtime musician was two days away from having the county foreclose on his house before some community members stepped forward to help him with back taxes.

The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sues a series of Northwest employers for letting foremen harass and assault immigrant workers. Civil rights attorneys say abused farm and janitorial workers are just starting to come forward.

The new state law that helps homeowners facing foreclosure isn't working like it should.  The Foreclosure Fairness Act is supposed to get homeowners into mediation to stop foreclosures, but there have been some long delays for homeowners.

SPOKANE—Attorneys have filed a lawsuit against a well-known businessman after dozens of his tenants were forced to leave their homes at the Shogun Plaza.

A innovative program has been providing legal help for struggling families to deal with health-related disparities. It seems to have worked fine, but now funding has come to an end.

The Foreclosure Fairness Act allows struggling homeowners to meet with their lender and go through mediation in hopes of working things out.

The goal of a new state law is aimed at forcing lenders and loan servicers to ditch the document shell games, and deceptive loan modification practices.

WSBA Bar News article written by Eric Dunn of the Northwest Justice Project and Merf Ehman of Columbia Legal Services.

SEATTLE - A King County woman is taking her payday loan company to court, claiming she was, at one point, charged 1,052 percent interest and that the company is violating new restrictions on payday loan companies put into place in Washington just last year.

Washington's new computer system for processing Medicaid payments is failing to pay so many valid claims that several doctors and clinics have stopped taking new Medicaid patients until they get paid for the ones they've already treated. Others say they soon may need to do the same, or even stop treating Medicaid patients altogether.

Due to new blows to DSHS' budget, DSHS is being forced to eliminate a variety of medical services that it has historically provided eligible recipients.  See the attached link for more information.  If you currently receive any of the services listed at the link, you should request services before 1/1/11.

Banks that collect fees from servicing delinquent loans and foreclosures don't always act in the best interest of the mortgage investor or the homeowners, who are better served by a loan modification. Guest columnist and NJP Attorney Rory O'Sullivan urges regulators and investors to solve this dilemma.

An NJP team led by Millicent Newhouse, Joy Ann Van Wahlde and Alberto Casas filed an amicus brief in Washington Supreme Court case of Hardee v. DSHS, Dept. of Early Learning, to argue that the standard of proof for revocation of child care licenses should be “clear and convincing” as opposed to the “preponderance” standard that the Court of Appeals applied to child care provider. NJP also argues that the Department’s reasons for overturning an ALJ’s decision should be clearly stated in the record to assure appropriate judicial review of child care license revocation decisions. Read history of case and pleadings here: http://templeofjustice.org/2010/hardee-v-state-dshs/

The U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington issues Temporary Restraining Order in class action challenging constitutionality of inadequate Disability Lifeline notice and procedure.   Recent DSHS change in procedure had resulted in termination of benefits for many disabled persons who had previously been on GAU.  This case appears likely to succeed on the merits and could result in the reinstatement of benefits for disabled individuals who were wrongly terminated or terminated with inadequate notice or attention to proper procedure.   Read the ruling in its entirety here:  http://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2010cv01366/169941/56/

A short video produced by CVTV about the services that Northwest Justice Project provides to low-income individuals.

County Veterans Citizen Levy Oversight Board members allocated $12,000 to a legal fellowship associated with AmeriCorps, the national service program. The fellowship with the Northwest Justice Project - a nonprofit, publicly funded legal-aid firm - aims to provide free legal assistance to veterans.

The King County Veterans Citizen Levy Oversight Board has agreed to provide funding to help finance a legal fellowship with the goal of providing important legal services to King County veterans. The AmeriCorps fellowship is with the Northwest Justice Project and will assist veterans in removing the barriers to housing, employment, and self-sufficiency.

The NJP Home Foreclosure Legal Aid Project grant will continue another year!

Legal aid programs turn away one person for every client served.

Many homeowners facing foreclosure can get free legal help from a program launched this week by the Washington State Bar Association.

This statewide collaborative project, sponsored by the WSBA and staffed by NJP, provides help to persons at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure. An opportunity for lawyers to provide meaningful and much-needed assistance to homeowners in need, the project provides free on-line training and will match participating lawyers with experienced mentors. Ongoing support from fellow members of the Bar who are experienced in housing and foreclosure matters, including NJP’s HFLAP legal team will also be available

Comcast Newsmakers spotlights the Northwest Justice Project!